UMass-Amherst locks down school for Super Bowl

UMass in Amherst has forbidden students from inviting guests to watch the Super Bowl in their dorm rooms.

Students will also only be allowed on their own floor on Sunday.

UMass said the extra security is to prevent any riots from occurring as a result of the game.

All visitors are banned from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst during the Super Bowl this weekend in order avoid potential rioting.

In an email to all students, the western Massachusetts college said that security in the residence halls will be reinforced and that students will be quarantined in their own hallway on Sunday.

"UMass Amherst resident students are allowed access only to the hall in which they live."

“Beginning Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015 at noon through Monday, Feb. 2, 2015 at noon, no guests are allowed in any UMass Amherst Residence Halls,” the email, obtained by Campus Reform, said. “UMass Amherst resident students are allowed access only to the hall in which they live.”

Students are also limited to the amount of guests—defined as people who are not members of the hosts’ residence hall, regardless of whether or not they are students or from outside the school—they can bring into their dorms on Friday and Saturday.

The policy is in response to prior riots on campus, particularly after the Boston Red Sox won the World Series last year. The large university of over 40,000 students is part of the Five College Consortium, a network of colleges within close distance that often intermingle during social events.

“I think it’s a bad decision overall,” Nick Pappas, a UMass student, told Campus Reform. “But more than anything this should serve as a reflection on UMass culture. If the administration doesn’t trust students to have guests, perhaps there is a reason for that. When the Red Sox won the World Series in 2013 there was a lot of issues with student behavior."

UMass said in the email that it will be sponsoring alternative events for students to watch Sunday’s big game. The Amherst school is giving away prizes to encourage students to attend.

The New England Patriots will take on the Seattle Seahawks in this year’s Super Bowl.

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